By: Nicole Jeans

Recently, as I was going to the 7-11 for a cup of coffee, I somehow found myself in an intellectual conversation with an extremely articulate man. Unfortunately, the man was homeless. I was curious. I couldn't understand why a seemingly well-educated and well kempt man in his 40's was forced to live on the streets. He was willing to talk, I was willing to listen and ask questions.

A couple hours later, I found myself amazed by his story and the unbelievable corruption within the US prison system. He was released from prison a few years ago and quickly realized that no one wants to hire an ex-con. While in prison he became well-versed in what he expained as "the Game" and vowed to never fall into the system's traps. Upon further research, I've found that the corruption is even worse than I expected:

Today's American prison system creates a "revolving door" - inmates are released without any job prospects and in most cases, without any place to go. No one will hire an ex-con, especially one who has been convicted of murder, rape, etc. Released convicts therefore resort to living on the streets -- increasing the crime rate and lowering property values. This is a common fact. States obviously realizes this. In fact, this is done purposefully. The government realizes that in many cases the former prisoners turned homeless will commit petty or victimless crimes (drugs, etc). Today's laws enable a homeless person to get arrested for panhandling (asking for change).

The government releases these ex-cons and purposefully perpetuates this "game" by increasing homelessness. So why does the prison system want their inmates to fall into the revolving door trap and return to prison or jail? Prisoners' money or any personal collateral is put in a banks. In turn, the state collects billions on interest, as well as plea bargains.

Over 2.1 million people are in prison or jail today. The US has the largest number of people in the system in the entire world. Women are the fastest growing segment of the prison population (103,000 women currently locked up). Today, the jails are all near capacity. 932 criminals are thrown in every week. An impressive statistic, if all of those criminals were rapists and murders. However, petty, small-time pot-dealers are being thrown in jail (for example), and being released angry, bitter, psychopathic and with a vengeance. In many cases, less violent and aggressive inmates learn to become similar to their homocidal and/or perverted prison peers, and it becomes a means of survival while locked up.

On average, it costs taxpayers $22,000 a year per prisoner (2.1 million people currently in jail ... you do the math). It costs the state 37 cents per tray of food. Granted, the prison guards must be paid and the jails must mantain a general upkeep. However, in no way, shape, or form does a prisoner use up $22,000 in funds by living in a 4 x 4 cell. Trust me. Where does the rest of the money go, you may ask? Well, directly into the pocket of the state. Furthermore, consider this: 92,000 foreign born criminals in the US prison system right now. At $22,000 a pop, the state collects billions of dollars in foreign prisoners alone. Interestingly, when an immigrant (or possible immigrant) is arrested he is simply ASKED if he was born in the US. If the criminal confesses his/her true status, immigration officials are notified and in most cases the felon is deported. Obviously, however, word quickly spreads to lie to inquiring officials, and the system simply accepts the felon's word without any documented proof!

Now with all the technology of modern day (and all the money within the system), you would think they could somehow confirm that a prisoner is a native to this country. But why would states ever do that when they can capitalize off of foriegn criminals?

Also, interestingly enough, last year 125 people were executed. As high as this number may seem, it is the lowest since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976. This is the 6th consecutive year of decline. I am not one to promote the death penalty, but after being presented with all the evidence of monetary corruption, one cannot help but wonder if there is some sort of correlation.

This unacceptable situation has got me unbelievably heated and aggravated. In reality, there is so little one person can do about the absolute corruption of the government in this and so many other situations. Ignorance truly is bliss. Nevertheless, people need to start opening their eyes and understanding the truth. Power is in the masses.

Nicole Jeans is a 20-year-old student from Chicago, studying Graphic Design at Columbia College. She is a former International Business student at Loyola University in New Orleans.